Summary of the day
Leaders from over 40 countries met in Granada, Spain for the third summit of the European Political Community.
While the session was focused on Europe, America’s internal politics – and in particular the future of aid to Ukraine – were on many people’s minds.
Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said he has American support. But he also said it’s a “difficult” election period for the US and there are some “strange” voices.
European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said she was “very confident of support for Ukraine from the United States – what the United States is working on is the timing”.
Irish leader, Leo Vardkar, said he was “concerned” to see the UK “disengaging from the world”, and accused it of turning inwards by leaving the EU, slashing international aid and now considering abandoning a human rights treaty.
Varadkar and the British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, held a bilateral meeting.
Updated
It is concerning to watch UK disengage from the world, says Irish PM
Ireland’s prime minister has said he is “concerned” to see the UK “disengaging from the world”, and accused it of turning inwards by leaving the EU, slashing international aid and now considering abandoning a human rights treaty.
Leo Varadkar, speaking before a bilateral meeting with Rishi Sunak, the British prime minister, in the Spanish city of Granada, he said he could barely recognise the country.
Asked it he was concerned over threats made by the UK to walk away from the European convention on human rights, he replied: “I am to be honest.” The home secretary, Suella Braverman, has questioned whether the convention is “fit for purpose”.
“The Britain and United Kingdom that I love and admire, it is the country of the Magna Carta, the country that founded parliamentary democracy and the country that helped to write the European convention on human rights,” Varadkar said.
“It does bother me to see the United Kingdom disengaging from the world – whether it’s reducing its budget for international aid, whether it’s leaving the European Union and now even talking about withdrawing from the European convention on human rights. That’s not the Britain I know,” he said.
Read the full story here.
Ireland’s Leo Varadkar and the British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, are now meeting in Granada.
Leo Varadkar and Rishi Sunak meet for second ever bilateral. Press allowed in briefly to capture the moment. pic.twitter.com/OvCH0Jvnw4
— Lisa O'Carroll (@lisaocarroll) October 5, 2023
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‘Great meeting’
Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, thanked France’s Emmanuel Macron and said “there will be more good news for our warriors”.
Great meeting with @EmmanuelMacron.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 5, 2023
Strenghtening Ukraine's air defense, as well as the security of the Odesa region and the Black Sea, is critical to ensure European and global stability. We are working together toward this end.
All of our previous agreements to strengthen… pic.twitter.com/iAy4HYWNxf
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No Sunak presser
The British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has cancelled plans for a press conference following his bilaterals with European leaders.
As the host of the next European Political Community, Sunak was expected to talk about plans for the UK version to be held next June.
But it is understood he feels he cannot fully commit to hosting the EPC unless there are reforms to its very loose format.
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Key event
Slovakia’s caretaker prime minister has assured Ukraine of his country’s support.
The move comes as Slovakia prepares for a new government, with fears that the country’s foreign policy will shift to a more Russia-friendly stance.
We strive for peace in all of Europe: countries big or small, east or west. Our shared values and vision unite us, and #Ukraine is part of this. In Granada we've assured @ZelenskyyUa he can rely on our ongoing support. pic.twitter.com/AaqZvTzRzo
— Ludovit Odor (@LudoOdorPM) October 5, 2023
In another sign that Armenia is distancing itself from Moscow, the Armenian prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, met with Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Granada.
Earlier in the day, European Council president Charles Michel called for a rapprochement with Armenia.
During our first-ever meeting, Armenian Prime Minister @NikolPashinyan and I focused on the security situation in the South Caucasus. Ukraine is interested in the region’s stability and friendly relations with its nations. We also discussed our bilateral cooperation and… pic.twitter.com/xtOB2XvXsl
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 5, 2023
Updated
Watch: Zelenskiy addresses European leaders in Granada
European parliament calls for sanctions on Azerbaijan
While leaders meet in Spain, the European parliament approved a resolution calling on the EU to adopt targeted sanctions against officials in Baku.
MEPs are calling on the bloc to reassess its relationship with Azerbaijan and reduce its dependency on gas imports from the country.
491 members voted in favour and 9 against, with 36 abstentions.
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EPC an ‘empty shell’, thinktanker says
Gerald Knaus, chair of the European Stability Initiative, a thinktank, told the Guardian today that he believes the European Political Community “had its moment of glory” at a summit in Moldova earlier this year “and it can now basically disband.”
“It was very useful to bring everybody to Moldova – so it gave a huge boost of morale to the Moldovan reformers, that was great,” he said.
But now, he said, the EPC is “an empty shell”.
“It’s all the same members as the Council of Europe except there is no court, no human rights convention, no assembly, no secretariat,” Knaus noted.
“So just having leaders meet without an agenda, without anything that explains why they meet, without any values or even the most basic institutions … I really don’t see what the value added of the EPC could be.”
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The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, told leaders she wants more cooperation on issues ranging from clean hydrogen to raw materials.
We can be proud of how we overcame the energy crisis.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 5, 2023
We have bought, stored & saved energy together.
Now we should replicate this success story in other fields, from clean hydrogen to raw materials.
For our security, for our prosperity, for our planet. https://t.co/3J3XVvBzzk
Updated
While Azerbaijan’s leadership was a no-show at the Granada summit, Hikmet Hajiyev, an adviser to president Ilham Aliyev, said that Baku is open to a meeting in Brussels.
“Azerbaijan stands ready for tripartite meetings in Brussels soon in the format of the European Union, Azerbaijan and Armenia,” he wrote on social media.
Azerbaijan supports the tripartite Brussels process and the regional peace agenda in the format of the European Union, Azerbaijan and Armenia, facilitated by the President of the Council of the European Union, Mr.Charles Michel, and in this sense, Azerbaijan is the author of many…
— Hikmet Hajiyev (@HikmetHajiyev) October 5, 2023
Metsola invites Armenian leader to address European parliament
Armenia needs our support and assistance to deal with the current humanitarian crisis caused by thousands of people leaving Nagorno-Karabakh.
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) October 5, 2023
I met Prime Minister @NikolPashinyan in Granada today and invited him to address @Europarl_EN's Plenary Session. pic.twitter.com/XndkIiEZyu
Watch: Zelenskiy speaks in Granada
Europe must be strong, Zelenskiy tells leaders
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy told leaders assembled at the Granada summit that “we may have our own views and, at times, different opinions on European issues” but that “still, we are all Europe.”
Referring directly to political uncertainty in the United States, the Ukrainian leader called on Kyiv’s European partners to remain united.
“Europe is more independent of Russia than ever before. Europe has truly proven its right to be a global centre for the protection of freedom and international law. Whatever happens in other parts of the world, whatever political tornadoes our partners face, Europe must be strong,” he said.
“Now, Europe is following the growing political storm in America. Europe has its own strength and global role in all key issues that matter for Europe,” he said.
And, the Ukrainian president added, “as for political storms … I am confident in America. They are strong people with strong institutions, and a strong democracy.”
“We must ensure,” he stressed, “that Ukraine wins.”
Addressing leaders in Granada, I stated that each of us represents Europe. We may have our own views and, at times, different opinions on European issues. But still, we are all Europe. And it’s not just about geography. It’s about history, morality, and security that we share.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 5, 2023
Updated
EU needs new approach to aspiring members, Albanian leader says
Edi Rama, Albania’s prime minister, said when arriving at the Granada summit that “there is a first-class and a second-class Europe” separating the EU and the rest of Europe.
At the same time, he said, “we should be realistic” and not believe that an EU with 27 members which is “having a lot of trouble to have a compact decision-making, to have strategic thinking and planning can be enlarged with 33 or 35 or 37 soon.”
“So instead of the nothing or all, for us the non-EU members, a new approach should be found, and new alternatives should be considered.”
The spirit of the EPC can and should be “transposed” to the EU “without necessarily giving full membership soon – because that is not gonna happen,” he said.
Updated
EU enlargement shouldn't be seen as financial calculation, Irish leader says
“I’m a strong supporter of Ukrainian membership for the European Union – and not just Ukraine, also the western Balkans and Moldova,” the Irish leader, Leo Varadkar, said in Granada amid discussions about how much enlargement would cost the bloc.
“Enlargement is always good for Europe, it helps to provide us with security, it helps to embed democracy and human rights, and it also helps the European economy to grow in the round,” he said.
“I think it’s really important that when we look at these questions we don’t see them just as a financial calculation,” the Irish leader said.
Varadkar did stress, however, that enlargement will trigger reforms and countries might have to make larger contributions to the EU’s budget “but that’s all way off.”
“The time from the beginning of talks to actually becoming a member, you know, it often takes many years – more than 10 or 15 years – so by then the budget and the CAP [Common Agricultural Policy] will be in a very different place, I think, so I really would hope that we don’t create those kinds of fears.”
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Europe feels Biden's 'personal commitment' to Ukraine, EU Council chief says
Charles Michel, president of the European Council, told reporters when arriving at the summit that today’s meeting “will be the occasion to bring the European continent closer to common goals.”
Asked about US support for Kyiv, Michel said that Joe Biden reassured European leader.
“We feel his personal leadership, his personal commitment to ensure that the United States will support Ukraine in the long run, will help Ukraine in the long run.”
“We work very closely together,” he said, noting that Europe is working to approve an additional package for Kyiv. “It is our duty to support Ukraine,” he added.
Asked about the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, Michel said that “we are shocked” by Azerbaijan’s offensive and that mutual recognition of territorial integrity should be made clear. There is also a need to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees in Armenia, he said.
“I am in favour of this rapprochement between Armenia and the European Union,” he said, adding: “Armenia needs our support.”
It is important not to give up on diplomatic efforts, Michel said.
The European Council chief also said a meeting would go ahead with leaders of Germany, France and Armenia, despite Azerbaijan’s decision not to attend the Granada summit.
Updated
There is little prospect of a meeting of Kosovan and Serbian leaders at the European Political Community, it has emerged.
It is understood that there have been no phone calls to invite the leaders to a meeting.
However if it is a repeat of the last EPC in Moldova, a late afternoon summit could yet be brokered.
EU Commission chief 'confident' of US support for Ukraine
As concerns grow about the future of US support for Kyiv, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said in Granada that she has confidence in Washington’s commitment.
“It was very important that President Biden informed us at the beginning of this week, what the support for Ukraine is” from the US side.
“Here in the European Union we are working on a package of €50bn for Ukraine for the years [20]24 to [20]27. This is very important because Ukraine needs predictability and reliability in the direct budget support,” the commission chief said.
“As far as I [see] the situation in the United States, I am very confident of support for Ukraine from the United States – what the United States is working on is the timing.”
Updated
'Not very enthusiastic': senior German lawmaker reacts to EPC
“I was not very enthusiastic about a new format like EPC from the beginning, because in the western Balkans and eastern Europe it is feared that it is only a second-class substitute for EU membership,” Michael Roth, chair of the German Bundestag’s foreign affairs committee, told the Guardian this morning.
“These countries do not want a European two-class society, but to be full members of the EU,” he said.
“If the EPC wants to be an organisation for peace and stability, we must also talk seriously with each other and make binding agreements,” the lawmaker, a member of Germany’s Social Democratic party, said.
“If it is just another meeting where heads of state and government make their usual Sunday speeches and then pose for a family photo, it won’t get us much further,” he said.
“We have to prove to the states in our immediate neighbourhood that we are seriously interested in their stability.”
Updated
Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, met with European Council president, Charles Michel, in Granada, as Budapest lobbies to unlock billions in frozen EU funds.
🇭🇺🇪🇺@PM_ViktorOrban held a bilateral meeting with @eucopresident @CharlesMichel in Granada, Spain.
— Zoltan Kovacs (@zoltanspox) October 5, 2023
During the meeting, they discussed various topics related to the two-day European summit and the prime minister reiterated Hungary's stance on issues such as EU funding for… pic.twitter.com/V8D190L6i0
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Europe boosting aid to Ukraine but can't replace US, EU foreign affairs chief says
Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, said that the US Congress move not to include additional Ukraine aid in a budget deal was “certainly not a good news but I hope it’s not going to be a definite position of the US”.
“Ukraine needs the support of the European Union,” he said, adding that it would be increased, but that Kyiv also needs US help.
“Europe cannot replace the US,” Borrell said, adding however that “Europe is increasing its support.”
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Ukrainian and Spanish leadership to meet.
Starting my first meeting at the European Political Community Summit with @sanchezcastejon.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 5, 2023
We will focus on the European unity, the security and stability of Europe, our defense and the strengthening of Ukrainian warriors.
Updated
US support is not faltering, Zelenskiy says in Granada
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has insisted US support for Ukraine is not faltering as he arrived at the European Political Community summit in Granada.
Joe Biden has given “100% support,” he said.
The Ukrainian leader said it is was “difficult” election period for the US and some voices were “very strange”, but he was confident that despite the recent budget decision to exclude the defence budget for Ukraine for 45 days, it was just a blip.
The main goal for all European leaders gathered at the European Political Community in Granada was to keep Europe united, he added.
“The main challenge is to save unity in Europe not only in the EU but in all of Europe,” said Zelenskiy, warning of Russian “disinformation attacks”.
Updated
'Granada is today the capital of Europe', Sánchez says
The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, told reporters when arriving at the summit that the gathering showed the country’s role in Europe.
Leaders, he said, would today discuss multilateralism, the impact of Russia’s war, energy and artificial intelligence.
Tomorrow, EU leaders will open a debate on the future of the bloc, he noted, underscoring that enlargement will bring challenges.
Asked about western assistance for Ukraine, Sánchez said that “solidarity, unity and of course all the support of not only the European governments, but also our societies – I think that all the Europeans are backing Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his country. And of course we are ready to support … until the end of this war our friends in Ukraine.”
“We have of course debates and we need to deliver within the European Union,” he said, pointing to discussions about the bloc’s long-term budget.
“It is an honour to have Volodymyr Zelenskiy with us here in Granada. I think that Granada is today the capital of Europe and also the capital of peace,” the Spanish leader said.
Updated
Moldova keen for EPC to 'deliver impact', foreign minister says
The European Political Community “remains a key platform for both EU and non-EU members to discuss Europe’s challenges,” Moldova’s foreign minister, Nicu Popescu, said today.
In a statement to the Guardian this morning, Popescu – who also serves as deputy prime minister – said that “as a former host of the EPC, we are keen to see EPC succeed and deliver impact”.
Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu, is set to participate in a multilateralism and security round table in Granada.
Her message to EPC, according to the foreign minister, “will be on security of democracies and safeguarding of democratic processes”.
“She will particularly refer to Russia’s election interference, as Moldova is facing three election cycles: local, presidential and parliamentary.” In bilateral meetings, he added, Sandu “will be discussing Moldova’s EU accession path and opening of accession talks with the EU by the year-end”.
Asked about Moldova’s progress toward its goal of joining the EU, Popescu said his country “has made notable and substantial advancements in the implementation of all nine recommendations put forth by the European Commission.”
“In June, we received an oral update from the Commission, indicating that Moldova has successfully executed three recommendations, made commendable progress on three others, and achieved a certain degree of advancement on the remaining three,” he said, noting that since then “we have made significant strides in addressing key issues, such as strengthening the rule of law, enhancing administrative capabilities, and countering Russian hybrid threats.”
“Our progress in these areas has become considerably more substantial, and we anticipate that this progress will serve as a solid foundation for the recommendation to commence negotiation talks by the end of the year,” the minister said.
But Popescu also noted that the EU is “undergoing its own reform process.”
“It is evident that both sides are deeply committed to the matter of enlargement. We maintain a strong and productive collaboration with all EU institutions, and our shared aspiration is to see Moldova prepared for EU membership by the end of 2030,” he said.
Updated
Everyone is now waiting for leaders to arrive in Granada
A long wait. pic.twitter.com/zbpv3J0t91
— Lisa O'Carroll (@lisaocarroll) October 5, 2023
Is the European Political Community relevant? Experts are divided.
Camille Grand, a former assistant secretary general at Nato and now a distinguished policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, argues that the EPC “offers a venue to address specific security crises” and that “when it comes to security, the EPC’s lack of institutionalisation, rules, and procedures could in fact be its greatest strengths”.
Mathieu Droin and Ilke Toygür of the Center for Strategic and International Studies write that the EPC is “preparation for the postwar Europe, that all Europeans – not only EU or Nato members – will have to rethink”.
“If expectations are therefore limited for this Granada summit, it does not mean that the EPC is doomed to extinction. The next summit in London in March 2024 will be fascinating to watch, with seemingly significant ambition from the Sunak government for this great comeback of the United Kingdom on the European scene,” they said.
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Who is (not) coming
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev were originally scheduled to travel to Spain. But both are now not expected to attend.
Aliyev was set to meet with his Armenian counterpart, along with leaders from Germany, France and the EU, but pulled out of the meeting.
'This should be a productive day', Zelenskiy says as he arrives in Spain
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has arrived for the summit.
“Our joint goal is to ensure the security and stability of our common European home,” he wrote on social media.
“We are working together with partners on enhancing the European security architecture, particularly regional security. Ukraine has substantial proposals in this regard,” the Ukrainian leader said.
“We will pay special attention to the Black Sea region as well as our joint efforts to strengthen global food security and freedom of navigation,” Zelenskiy noted, saying that Kyiv’s “key priority, particularly as winter approaches, is to strengthen air defense.”
“This should be a productive day for Ukraine and Europe as a whole,” he added.
I arrived in Granada, Spain, to take part in the European Political Community Summit.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 5, 2023
Our joint goal is to ensure the security and stability of our common European home.
We are working together with partners on enhancing the European security architecture, particularly…
'Will the EU really be ready for new members and when?' asks a former minister
We asked Nikola Dimitrov, a former foreign minister and deputy prime minister of North Macedonia, what is the significance of the European Political Community and what can be achieved.
“The initial scepticism in the region over EPC as a consolation prize in lieu of enlargement has gradually waned, in part due to the revived enlargement debate,” Dimitrov said.
“For the western Balkan leaders, the pan-European informal summit is an opportunity to present their countries as valuable partners on the big screen, at a European level, and strengthen their bond with other European leaders,” he said.
“Just like people in general,” Dimitrov noted, “when leaders meet regularly they develop a sense of belonging, a community, and get used to each other, which will hopefully melt some of the reservations on enlargement and soften up the more difficult relationships.”
“However,” he said, “what we in the region will eagerly await in particular is the debate on the absorption capacity of the EU the following day – at the informal European Council meeting.”
“Will the EU really be ready for new members and when?”
Giorgia Meloni turns to Rishi Sunak to take battle against migration beyond EU
Giorgia Meloni has turned to the UK’s prime minister Rishi Sunak to take her battle against migration beyond the EU, it has emerged.
In what some are dubbing the Spanish framework, the prime ministers have forced migration on to the agenda at a historic meeting of about 50 European leaders in Granada on Thursday.
The leaders gathering for the European Political Community (EPC) summit had already been shepherded into groups themed on enlargement, defence, artificial intelligence, energy security and the climate emergency.
However at the 11th hour it emerged that Meloni had contacted Sunak after it became public that he had failed to persuade Spain, the EPC organiser, to put migration on the agenda.
The two prime ministers will now chair a separate group on the subject and are expected to raise the need for more coordination between the EU and the UK.
Sunak is expected to announce new bilateral initiatives with Belgium, Bulgaria and Serbia to increase intelligence sharing and operational cooperation.
Ahead of the meeting he said: “Levels of illegal migration to mainland Europe are the highest they have been in nearly a decade. With thousands of people dying at sea, propelled by people smugglers, the situation is both immoral and unsustainable. We cannot allow criminal gangs to decide who comes to Europe’s shores.”
Read the full story here.
Welcome to the blog
Leaders from dozens of countries will gather in Granada, Spain, today for a meeting of the European Political Community.
The group formally consists of 47 countries – from Ukraine and the UK, European Union members to the western Balkans and Caucasus.
The EPC was created last year, following a proposal from French president Emmanuel Macron. The first summit was held in the Czech Republic in October 2022, and for a second time in Moldova in June this year.
With a few exceptions, heads of state and government from nearly all EPC countries will be in Madrid today.
The summit comes amid growing questions about the future of western aid to Ukraine.
Leaders are also meeting at a time of tension between Kosovo and Serbia, and as concerns persist about Azerbaijan and Armenia following Baku’s offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and the exodus of Armenian civilians from the area.
Stay tuned for news, analysis and reactions.
And as always, send your comments to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.
